General News
15 October, 2026
Coconut palm trees in midst of civic dispute
RESPONSIBILITY for the removal of coconut palms outside the front of Nimrod Resort Apartments along Nautilus Street, Port Douglas, is under dispute between resort manager Gus Peterson and Douglas Shire Council.
Mr Peterson believes that the positioning of the palms, along the exterior of his resort should justify their removal cost being covered by ratepayer money.
“Council originally indicated that they would remove the trees, but that seems to have changed,” Mr Peterson said.
“We want to replace the fencing that has been damaged by the trees and we are happy to pay for that. The problem is that it’s not really possible to do this while the trees are still there.”
“My bigger concern is that these trees, which are on controlled council land outside our property, are a major danger to people at the bus stop, immediately below,” he said.
Douglas Shire Council says the coconut palms outside Nimrod Resort were inspected in May 2026. At that time, no visible defects or conditions were identified that warranted their immediate removal on safety grounds.
“The palms are currently managed through council’s programmed coconut de-nutting and inspection program, which is undertaken approximately every six months and includes inspections by a climbing arborist,” a representative said.
“Council is aware that the Nimrod Resort body corporate is considering replacement of its boundary fence and that the proposed fence alignment may conflict with the existing palms, which are located along the boundary.”
Council also said that, although it was not opposed in principle to the removal and replacement of the palms and acknowledges that this may be an appropriate long-term management outcome given their location, the trees also contribute to the established streetscape character of Nautilus Street. As such, council would seek suitable replacement planting as part of any agreed removal proposal.
“Where the removal of council vegetation is primarily required to facilitate private improvement works, council would also consider the appropriate allocation of costs as part of any proposal,” the representative said.
Council has invited the body corporate to provide further information, including confirmation of the property boundary, the proposed fence alignment, details of the proposed works, funding arrangements and replacement planting. This information will assist council in considering the matter as a coordinated proposal.
In the meantime, council said it will continue to manage the palms through its existing inspection and de-nutting program.
